Baldwin High School earns state recognition for character education

TOPEKA—Kansas schools and school districts were honored Thursday for their support of character education as part of the Kansas Schools of Character Recognition Program. The schools are recognized through a variety of programs sponsored by the Character Education Partnership, a national organization promoting character education programs in schools.

Schools and districts achieved recognition through the program by demonstrating various principles of character and through the successful implementation of effective programs in schools.

Among those recognized Thursday was the Hesston School District, USD 460, as the 2012 Kansas District of Character. Iola High School, USD 257, was recognized as the State School of Character, and Anthony Elementary School, USD 453, Leavenworth, earned the Emerging School of Character recognition.

Ten Kansas schools and one Kansas school district were presented Promising Practice in Character Education Awards. They are:

Baldwin High School, Baldwin City, USD 348

Buhler High School, Buhler, USD 313

Centre School District, Lost Springs, USD 397

Circle High School, Towanda, USD 375

Clifton-Clyde High School, Clyde, USD 224

Hoisington High School, Hoisington, USD 431

Iola High School, Iola, USD 257

Kiowa County Junior High School, Greensburg, USD 422

Marysville Junior/Senior High School, Marysville, USD 364

Morgan Elementary School, Hutchinson, USD 308

Pittsburg High School, Pittsburg, USD 250.

Eighteen additional schools were recognized with an Evidence-Based Practice Award for their implementation of Steps to Respect by the Committee for Children. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Health Promotion was also recognized for supporting the Steps to Respect program in a number of Kansas schools. Schools receiving the Evidence-Based Practice Award that are supported by the Department of Health and Environment are:

Kingman Elementary School, Kingman, USD 331

St. Mark's School, Colwich, USD 267

Country View Elementary, Winfield, USD 465

Most Pure Heart of Mary School, Topeka

Hoxie Community Schools, Hoxie, USD 412

Holy Spirit Catholic School, Goddard

West Indianola Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345

Rochester Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345

Riverton Elementary School, Riverton, USD 404

Stafford Elementary/Middle School, Stafford, USD 349

Roosevelt Elementary School, McPherson, USD 418

Lakeside Elementary and Middle School, Cawker City, USD 272

Trego Grade School, Wakeeney, USD 208

Haven School District, Haven, USD 312

Logan Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345

Elmont Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345

In the two other schools receiving the award, the Steps to Respect program is supported by the school district. Those schools are:

North Fairview Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345

Pleasant Hill Elementary School, Topeka, USD 345.

During the awards ceremony, Dr. Tom Foster, Director of Career, Standards and Assessment Services at the Kansas State Department of Education, praised the schools being honored and congratulated them for recognizing the need for character development in our schools. In addition, Alex Muff, a junior middle blocker on the Kansas State University Volleyball Team and an Academic Big 12 honoree, shared the importance a reliance on core principles had played in her life.

For more information regarding the Kansas Schools of Character Recognition Program, contact Kent Reed, KSDE project director for character education, at 785-296-8109 orkreed@ksde.org.